Welcome to the world, Kayla Marie!

So I know I haven't written in a while, but I've been a little preoccupied with other, no offense, more important things!  Here is a little story about the birth of our little peanut from Mom's point of view.   Maybe I can get Dad to post from his point of view and you can read a pretty detailed version on my sister's blog here.

After blogging about how frustrated I was that Kayla was taking her time coming out of me, I went to bed on Friday night 1/21 at 11:45.  Fifteen minutes later, I woke up with a relatively painful contraction.  Not terrible, but I could tell it was definitely different from what I had been having.  About 8 minutes later, I had another one and decided if I had one more I was going to wake Justin up so we could time them.  And lo and behold, 7-8 minutes later, I had another one and my water started to break.  I ran to the bathroom to let it continue to drain into the toilet.  When it seemed to have stopped (it was definitely not done) I got Justin up and told him my water had broken.  We called the midwives and they told us to come on in to the hospital.

After getting my unfinished hospital bag together, waking my mom up, and calling Aunt Megan, we were off to the hospital.  We arrived around 1 am probably.  We went into the triage area where they hooked me up to monitor my contractions.  They were definitely getting worse and worse and closer together but still relatively tolerable.  By the time we actually got into a delivery room, they were like 2-3 minutes apart.  (The midwife checked my cervix in triage and I was 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced.)  She didn't give me pitocin because she knew I wanted to try to go naturally, however I was hooked up to an IV for fluids and hydration.

Once in the delivery room, I was sort of restricted to the bed for a while and no one really came into the room ever.  When a nurse came in, I asked if I could get up and move around so that I could change positions.  She allowed it so I got up and Justin and I walked to the bathroom.  At this point, I really have no idea what time it is and the contractions feel like they are about 1 minute apart and lasting a minute (which means I'm in a state of constant contraction pretty much!).  Not only that but I began to have VERY severe back labor.  Granted, I don't have anything to compare it to but I couldn't take it anymore.  I made the hard and scary (for me) decision to get an epidural because I was afraid I was going to put Kayla and/or myself in distress and I was afraid I wouldn't have the energy to push since I had gotten 15 minutes of sleep - and there was no way I was sleeping through this back labor.

Fast forward about 45 minutes: I'm in heaven.  I can sleep.  I can't feel any pain whatsoever.  I am much less bitchy.  All positives!  The nurse stayed with me for about 30-45 minutes after I had the epidural, because, turns out, my contractions were coming really fast and close together.  So she called the midwife to check me again - 8 cm.  They prepped the room for delivery.  Then...

Nothing.  Everything slowed down a lot after this.  And honestly, everything is a bit of a blur to me as I was in and out of sleep.  Eventually, I got to the point where I could feel when the contractions were happening but they weren't painful.  A woman had been admitted to the room across the hall at 10 cm and ready to push, so she was first in line.  Then it was my turn.  A new, and really funny and great midwife was there to deliver my little one.

Trying to keep this short and simple, delivery was totally different than I imagined.  Contractions were about 5-6 min apart.  So I would push, then we would sit and have small talk with my legs in the air for 5 minutes.  I pushed for about 3 contractions and the midwife said that the baby's heart rate was dropping and if it didn't rebound well after the pushing, she would have to call the OB to use the vacuum to help.  After 1-2 more contractions, and me tearing, she told me I had 5 contractions to get this baby out.  She sounded very serious so I was very worried about my baby (and me.)  And anyone that knows me knows that you don't challenge me, because I will win.  I pushed her out in 2-3 contractions.  Everyone was crying out of joy.  I was crying out of fear something was wrong.  All I heard was the nurse ask if anyone looked at the sex and my sister saying, "It's a girl!!" Amid tears, and then, "She's so cute!"

It's definitely been a rollercoaster since then, but I never thought I could love someone so much...

SO FRUSTRATED!!!!!

I'm not sharing this post through facebook.  Only my loyal readers will see it! :)

I am now 3 days overdue.

I know that isn't that much because as I've been told a million times "first babies always come late."  Well, first of all, this isn't true at all.  Second of all, I'm dilating, effacing, dropping, losing my mucus plug, having contractions and still nothing. NOTHING.

I know I'm just an emotional pregnant lady but I seriously sort of want to just cry all the time until this baby comes.  I'm just so overwhelmed with excitement to meet him or her.  I'm excited to start this new journey in our life together.  I'm frustrated with EVERYONE and their mom asking my mom and I if "anything is happening?"  I promise, we'll tell you.  Particularly if you are immediate family, or my husband.  I love you, Justin, but you do not need to call me every hour while you are at work because TRUST ME you are the first person I plan on contacting when I actually go into labor.  :)  (If I ever do.)

D-Day!

No...not delivery day (at least not yet)...due date!

I made it...and I'm still pregnant.  Not gonna lie, getting a little frustrated with this little one.  Maybe I just expected Baby Hales to pop right out when everything (and everyone) was here and ready.

Please come on Baby, I really want to meet you, and I'm READY!

Pregnant forever?

I literally feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever.  The end of pregnancy is this very strange time where you become really uncomfortable and sort of expect to feel something happening, like some sort of build up to labor.  Turns out, apparently it's just going to come at any second without any forewarning which is exactly why I think most women feel like they are going to be pregnant forever.

For those interested, I had my check up appointment for my blood pressure on Thursday.  Turns out, my PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) blood work was prefect (the midwives like to use this word a lot with me: blood work, baby's heartbeat, etc.)  She said literally perfect, it wasn't even anywhere near borderline abnormal.  My BP was still slightly high when I went in but apparently that's not of a concern.  Now, they are more concerned if this baby doesn't come soon!  I rescheduled my appointment from Monday to Wednesday afternoon, where we will have to talk about possible induction eventually if I don't go into labor before then.  So get ready, Baby Hales, Nana/Ohmi comes tomorrow so if you just wait 24 more hours that'd be great.

Yesterday was my last day at work.  I have to admit I'm a little sad about not being able to see a lot of my patients again, but some of them I'm happy to hand of to Kate, Kim and Kassidy (new therapist, and apparently I'm the only one whose name doesn't start with a K :) ).  I had been bringing gifts from patients home every once in a while and every time Justin would say, "Another one??"  All I could say is, "Well my patients like me!"  The other day, I discharged a patient and she came in the next day to bring me a handmade quilt she sewed herself.  The same day, Great Aunt Shirley (who I rode 100 miles on my bike (while 7 weeks pregnant) for) sent us a gorgeous knitted blanket for Baby Hales in his/her mom's absolutely favorite color!  Here is a picture.  Baby Hales sure is a lucky little one.

Come on baby, we can't wait to meet you!

One Week Countdown...

Yesterday, we had our hospital tour.  It was nice for me to actually see where we would be and learn about the process because I've been a little worried that they say once you get to the hospital, the anxiety you feel can slow down your labor.  I mean, it's not that I'm scared of hospitals at all, I'm in the health care field.  It's just that I've never been the patient, and I'm leaving with a child...so that's a little bit anxiety inducing, but exciting!

Today, we had our 39 week midwife appointment.  Good news: almost 2 cm dilated and the midwife said, "Come on baby, where are you.  He/she is so low, what are they waiting for?"  Good question Danielle, I'm wondering the SAME EXACT thing.  Bad news:  my blood pressure has been a little high my last two visits at the beginning of the visit and then back down to closer to normal afterwards.  Danielle suggested we get some PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) blood work done and then come back in on Thursday or Friday for another BP check to see how it is.  I think part of it is my nervousness and anxiety causing the heightened blood pressure, but I'm with her.  Better safe than sorry.  Justin asked when they would start talking induction.  She said usually they wouldn't recommend it at all for first time mom's before at least 41 weeks.  I'm really hoping I don't have to be induced and my blood work and BP at the end of this week are back to normal.  I need some hints/tricks to make Baby Hales hurry up and make his/her debut!!  I've been eating chili and having some wine.  I'm taking the cervix softener/fatty acid pills they told me to take.  The Baby is clearly ready, almost -2 station (lower than last week) and 2 cm dilated.  I'm nervous but definitely ready.  Come on, what is taking so long!  I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever.

Any "tricks" to hurry this along would be really appreciated.  On that note, here is finally a new belly photo and I'm off to drink some wine.  Maybe a glass a night will help things along??

I know, I'm too lazy to blog...

...or maybe it's that I'm way too tired!  I only have 9 days until my due date and it's becoming very real to me.  Actually, maybe the problem is it STILL doesn't seem real, and therefore my head is saying "this is scary" and my heart is saying "I can't wait to be a mom!"  Well, here's a little update since my last post.

We had our 38 week midwife appointment last Tuesday, where we met another midwife who actually delivers babies!  She told me I was about the same dilation/effacement wise as last week, but that she didn't really expect that to change much until I went into labor.  She also told me to go get/take some evening of primrose to help progress things along and avoid going to much over the due date.  Like she had to twist my arm...

Justin and I spent NYE with my sister, Megan.  It was extremely low-key but nice to be with two very important people and one very important dog in my life!  We had dinner at one of those hibachi grill places and I had a glass of wine, and couldn't help but feel like I had to explain that the doctor's said it was ok to all the people sitting with us at our table!

Pregnancy signs/symptoms that have decided to wait until my last two weeks to make their unwelcome debut:

• Carpal Tunnel/hand pain
• Extreme ankle swelling (especially after this weekend - see below)
• Feeling a little cranky, uncomfortable and just plain old "blah"
• The return of nausea

This weekend, my aunt and, well basically other aunt, MEM and Terri were in the DC area.  Terri coaches the Marquette Women's Basketball team and my aunt MEM travels with them occasionally.  Marquette played Georgetown on Saturday afternoon.  On Friday, we had dinner in Georgetown with the team and rode around on their charter bus to see some of the gorgeous DC sites at night (the Korean War Memorial is creepy at night.)  On Saturday, we took MEM to breakfast at the Original Pancake House and then went to watch the women play great against the #15 GU team and pull off a great win in 2 OT.  Terri apologized for making it a little more stressful than desired for me, but I thought it was a great and fun game to watch.

Only negative from weekend: sitting/standing without doing much moving = Melissa's newfound cankles...very uncool.  At least they go down when I elevate my legs.  I'll try to post again on Tuesday after our hospital tour and 39 week appointment.  Until then, I'll leave you with this.

I'm scared/nervous/worried about this impending baby.  Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited too but this odd unsettled sensation has began to sweep over me the past week or so.  It's not that I don't think I can do it - anyone that knows me knows if I put my mind to something, it's going to get done.  It's not that I don't think I'll be a good mom - I have a really great role model.  I can't really describe it, I just am scared because I don't feel ready.  I still feel young and like a newlywed and I'm just not sure how ready I am, but not like I have a choice.  My solution is to tell my husband how I feel and lean on him, because I think he's pretty darn great, and to focus on how excited I am for this whole new, exciting experience in my life.

Until next time, or until baby...

Go Hokies!!

The only thing I want more than this baby to come right now, is a Hokie Orange Bowl win!!

In more baby related news:)

We had our second partner prenatal class yesterday, which will be my and Justin's last.  I don't think Justin was quite prepared for how tough yoga can be during the first one.  Yesterday's class was a little bit easier and less dominated by "discomfort practice" (think 60-90 second wall squats without a wall for example.)  I think Justin at least semi enjoys it, and I'm glad he will oblige me and go along.  I think that Sarah also has a lot of good advice for us mom's as well as for our significant others.  We did some partner stretches/massage that will probably be helpful during labor so that's nice.

Other preparations we made over the weekend:

• Semi-installed car seat bases in our cars (I say semi because we are likely going to try to move Justin's to the middle seat if we can and we need to adjust mine to use the seatbelt instead of the LATCH system for installation.)


• Packed my new Coach baby bag with baby things for the hospital.


• Bought the changing pad and some more clothes over the weekend.  I think we may  not have to go out again before Baby comes (however, we may need more newborn diapers...)


• I am in serious nesting mode: I did a large scale cleaning of my clothes/shoes in the closet and some of my drawers in the dresser (and found a belt I've been looking for for a year!!)

I think both Justin and I are getting very ready for Baby Hales to make his or her debut, so please hurry up Baby!!  We really want to meet you!

GO HOKIES!!!!!

We have another midwife appointment tomorrow, so we will see how I have progressed!